The Stroller: Mailbox police

Saturday

Jan 12, 2013 at 12:56 AM

Gerald Abraham of Spartanburg would like to see the mailbox police go into action. “Many of our rural mailboxes are a disgrace to look at and do not comply with Postal Service regulations,” he points out.

By Lou Parrisstroller@shj.com

Gerald Abraham of Spartanburg would like to see the mailbox police go into action. “Many of our rural mailboxes are a disgrace to look at and do not comply with Postal Service regulations,” he points out. “The mailbox should sit back six to eight inches from the road’s edge or curb. The mailbox should be 41-45 inches from the ground up. You are not allowed to put ads on a mailbox. You are required to put your house number on your curbside mailbox, and the numbers must be at least one inch in height and should be on the flag side or in front of the mailbox. The mailbox should be on the right-hand side of the road and in direction of the carrier’s travel. You must keep the approach to your mailbox free of obstructions so that it’s safe for the carrier.”uQUIPS GERALD SUTTLES of Cowpens: “Oh, what a wonderful time, especially when you run into friends out shopping and find out they have their concealed weapons permit. What a warm and fuzzy feeling I get knowing they are equipped to stand their ground, being able to protect themselves and family members. So, to all of you thugs, now you have more to fear than some mall cop and our fine men and women of the police department!”u‘NO HARD FEELINGS’: Gordon Summey responds to a Stroller reader put out with his latest noise about President Barack Obama’s re-election: “Ann Moody should know that all of my ranting and raving took place in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and, especially, in Spartanburg. For her information, Republicans won in all three states. I must be doing something right with my compatriots, however, since I wish no hard feelings, especially since it ’tis the season, I have decided to take a vacation with The Stroller. Maybe when I return to the country, Obama will be gone. Happy new year, big time!”u‘OBVIOUS ABUSERS’: Robert Hansen of Woodruff is shaking his head after reading a newspaper from the United Kingdom. “A woman had written in to note an increasing problem in that country,” he says. “In 2005, a woman was allowed to immigrate to the United Kingdom with three children to immediately go on welfare. She had failed to mention the fact that she also had three other children waiting just across the border. Certainly it was her right to bring her other children over. Since that time, she has had four more children. She is not married and apparently was unsure of the fathers but did not receive child support for any of her children. Now the woman has 10 children. Her problem is that her house isn’t big enough. She feels that it is her right to receive a bigger house, again all at the expense of the taxpayers. The lady writing the article suggested that welfare should be limited to only two children. Somewhere along the line, people should begin to figure out where the children are coming from and not expect taxpayers to support such obvious abusers of the system.”uODDS AND ENDS: Spartanburg native artist Doug McAbee is exhibiting his work, “The One About Pop,” in the Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg Gallery in the Chapman Cultural Center. It will run through Jan. 28. This free exhibit is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. There will be a gallery reception from 5 to 9 p.m. Jan 17.